TotallyOz Posted May 8, 2012 Posted May 8, 2012 I have been to Hua Hin a few times but never from Bangkok. I am thinking of getting a car to drive down. Is that the best way from Bankgok? How long does it take for the trip? Approximate cost? If I think go from Hua Hin to Chiang Mai, I will fly. Any airlines you recommend for this short trip? Quote
KhorTose Posted May 8, 2012 Posted May 8, 2012 No direct flights that I know of between Hua Hin and Chiang mai. I fly to Chiang Mai and then has Suphot pick me up and drive me to Hua Hin. When I return the same in reverse. Here is some information about him from his partner "Smiles". I would add excellant driver with good English. http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/post214925.html?hilit=hua%20hin#p214925 Quote
Guest Posted May 8, 2012 Posted May 8, 2012 Maybe I missed something, but Chiang Mai must be one of the furthest domestic airports away from Hua Hin. Why not fly Air Asia to Bangkok, then travel from there? Quote
KhorTose Posted May 8, 2012 Posted May 8, 2012 Maybe I missed something, but Chiang Mai must be one of the furthest domestic airports away from Hua Hin. Why not fly Air Asia to Bangkok, then travel from there? Remind me not to write at night anymore. Darn, I have no other excuse, sober but senile. Yes, first fly to Bangkok and then Hua Hin and the reverse going back. Tks Z. Quote
Rogie Posted May 9, 2012 Posted May 9, 2012 Does Hua Hin have an airport? No mention of one in my guidebook. You can travel there by: car bus train Car: If you are contemplating travel by hirecar consider how conversant you are driving in Bangkok. I have done it but only with a Thai person as navigator, never on my own. If you drove like fury you might do the journey from central Bkk to Hua Hin in a shade over 2 hours, but not knowing the road prior to my recent trip it took a lot longer, allowing for stops at petrol stations, etc.it took well over 3 hours. The car + driver option would be the best one if you are not too keen on driving in Bkk. Having said that the rest of the journey is easy on highway 35 and then highway 4. Incidentally I was amazed that some sections of highway 4 are single lane. Why surprised? Because it is the main artery (and the ONLY artery in places I think) between Bkk and the south of Thailand. The single lane section may be south of Hua Hin, I cannot remember exactly. Bus: Leave from the Southern bus station, and according to my guidebook they run every half hour and take 3 and a half hours. I've done the journey once several years ago and have no memory of it so it can't have been too awful. Train: Again, cribbing from my guidebook there are frequent trains running from Hualamphong and the journey takes 4 hours. You have a choice between 2nd or 3rd class. How about 4 hours in a 3rd class carriage just as we enter the rainy season khun MIchael? Quote
Rogie Posted May 9, 2012 Posted May 9, 2012 Going off at a slight tangent from OP's request, just a quick word on accommodation. Best option is to know somebody living in the place you are intending to visit. Failing that, you have to find somewhere yourself. Hotel: Ok for places like Bangkok, but would not be my choice for 'seaside' destination like Hua Hin. Guest House: I'd probably favour that over a hotel as more likely to be a wee bit more 'homey' Resort: Seemingly a reasonable option, and in fact that is where the family were based on my recent visit which lasted 4 nights. 3 were spent in a resort and the final night at a cheap hotel near the main beach in Hua Hin. Holiday rental: This would be my choice next time I am in Hua Hin. It supposes you are at least with a partner to make it cost-effective. However, it is the perfect option for a family group, and works out a lot cheaper than staying at a resort. Places like Trip Advisor are crawling with them. Type in Hua Hin holiday rental and you are spoiled for choice. Many of them are quite close to some of the decent beaches that lie to the south of Hua Hin. Talking of beaches, I award them 5 out of 10 on average, broken down into 3 out of 10 for the sea (water quality) and 7 out of 10 for the beach (sand). Some better than others and the town centre one scores the least highly as you would expect. Quote
Bob Posted May 10, 2012 Posted May 10, 2012 I have been to Hua Hin a few times but never from Bangkok. I am thinking of getting a car to drive down. Is that the best way from Bankgok? How long does it take for the trip? Approximate cost? If I think go from Hua Hin to Chiang Mai, I will fly. Any airlines you recommend for this short trip? There actually is a commuter airline that flies between Bkk and Hua Hin but I don't remember the name of it. The Hua Hin airport is rather dinky and is 4-5 miles towards Cha'am from the center of Hua Hin (when you drive to Hua Hin, you're actually driving under a portion of the runway (you'll notice the rather wide overpass). I don't remember the name of the airline and don't remember the cost (other than I thought it was overpriced and didn't choose that option). Best option in my book is simply to hire Suphot (Pot) per Khortose's suggestion above. Last year the cost was about 2,000 baht but, with the price of gas being up, it might be a couple of hundred baht more now. Great driver and heck of a nice guy. But, between May and August, it's possible that Pot might not be available all the time as he's often in Surin province during that time period. Every time I've driven down there from Bangkok, it takes about 3 hours. Quote
Guest thaiworthy Posted May 10, 2012 Posted May 10, 2012 There actually is a commuter airline that flies between Bkk and Hua Hin but I don't remember the name of it. This web site says that all flights from Bangkok to Hua Hin have been cancelled. http://www.huahinairport.com/ Bob, I always thought you'd hitched a ride from CM by rolling up your trousers and showing off your legs like Betty Grable. Quote
Bob Posted May 10, 2012 Posted May 10, 2012 This web site says that all flights from Bangkok to Hua Hin have been cancelled. http://www.huahinairport.com/ Bob, I always thought you'd hitched a ride from CM by rolling up your trousers and showing off your legs like Betty Grable. Hmmm....was operating last year. Guess things change. And the only way I can hitch a ride is to use the paperbag-over-my-head trick. Quote
TotallyOz Posted May 27, 2012 Author Posted May 27, 2012 Suphot pick me up and drive me to Hua Hin. When I return the same in reverse. Here is some information about him from his partner "Smiles". I would add excellant driver with good English. Thanks. Does anyone have his number? Quote
Bob Posted May 27, 2012 Posted May 27, 2012 Thanks. Does anyone have his number? Michael, sent you a PM with some info. Quote
TotallyOz Posted May 30, 2012 Author Posted May 30, 2012 I was going to take K. Suphot as many here had recommended him. However, he is in his home country for the low season and would not be available. We chatted up several local taxi drivers from Bangkok and most said they would do the trip for 1800-2000 baht. I thought very reasonable. However, I have a lot of luggage and 2 boys so I decided a van was the best way to go. I called my reliable guy in Pattaya and he got us a full size van for under 3,000 bath. He would not negotiate with us as he said that was not his usual run. I didn't want to rely on a taxi off the streets and for another 30 USD I knew I'd get a good van from him. The van was huge and big and comfortable for all 3 of us. He had a driver and a co-pilot and they went fast and it was about 2 hours and 15 minutes and we were in Hua Hin. I have reviewed these guys many times on this site. JR's Taxi is their name. Quote
